Skip to main content

Stolen form various sources:

The name comes from the Middle English "Wednes dei," meaning the day of the English god Woden (Wodan) who was a god of the Anglo-Saxons in England until about the 7th century. Wēdnes dæg is like the Old Norse Oðinsdagr ("Odin's day"), which is an early translation of the Latin dies Mercurii ("Mercury's day"), and reflects the widespread association of Woden with Mercury going back to Tacitus (ancient historian).

Wednesday is often referred to as "hump day" because of its position as the middle day of the work week. If the work week were a hill. Then Wednesday would be the crest. It is all down hill from there. (Whether the down hill ride is a coast or a descent into a swamp is left to the individual.)

Only one holiday typically recurs yearly upon Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the official beginning of lent. It is called "Ash" Wednesday because since the 400's it has been the day upon which religious penitent's foreheads are marked with ash. It is a reminder of the mortal condition of the flesh - that we are all dust. This day is a variable date dependent on the date which easter falls.

For the Orthodox, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year commemorate the Crucifixion of Christ and the Theotokos (Mother of God), especially as she stood by the foot of the cross. According to the Hebrew Bible, Wednesday is the day when the Sun and Moon were created.

I could not find a definitive origin for the reason we have church on Wednesday but It seems obvious that the practice has roots in the orthodoxy as the day Christ was crucified but I find no data to support that.

(Image below is an actual pic of the god Woden, after whom 'Wednesday' was named. "Odin, the Wanderer" 1886 by Georg von Rosen)

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 180px-Georg_von_Rosen_-_Oden_som_vandringsman,_1886_(Odin,_the_Wanderer)
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Skep, I asked that same question recently. I believe my exact words were "who the heck's idea was it to have church on Wednesday night anyway?". Big Grin

My friend said that, at least in her neck of the woods, it was originally a day for men to go and pray for the church. The Prayer Meeting eventually included the whole family. What you wanna bet food was somehow involved, women cooking and all that?

I knew a woman didn't come up with it. Razzer

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×